Word Origin & History

automobile 1883, in ref. to electric traction cars, from Fr. automobile (adj.), 1861, from Gk. autos "self" + Fr. mobile "moving," from L. mobilis "movable." Meaning "self-propelled motor vehicle" is from 1895, from Fr., short for véhicule automobile. The modern Gk. calls it autokineto "moved of itself." The Fr. word had competition in the early years from locomobile; in Eng. other early forms were motorcar and autocar.

Example Sentences for automobilist

An automobilist must resign himself to taking cheerfully what comes.

Mr. Coleman is, by his own account, an American and an automobilist.

The automobilist does not much care whether they are near at hand or not.

He is a good spender, the automobilist, and he comes frequently.

Hotels in Genoa for the automobilist are of all ranks and at all prices.

The automobilist will appreciate this and will want to push on to the end.

Why is an automobilist who exceeds the speed limit like a social reprobate?

But there was no menace in the kindly eye of the automobilist, as he brought his car to a stop.

He stopped his camera, the automobile came to a stop, the automobilist got out and a dummy was placed in his seat.

But the automobilist has tales to tell of the power of the wind against his face that are easily credible.